Daijiworld Media Network - Oklahoma
Oklahoma, Jun 23: The Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in a dramatic Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It marks the franchise’s first title since 1979, when it was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.
After finishing the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record, the Thunder capped off a dominant campaign with 84 total wins — tying the 1996–97 Chicago Bulls for the third-highest single-season win total in NBA history.
Finals and regular season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a masterclass in the deciding game, racking up 29 points, 12 assists, and 5 rebounds. His performance placed him in elite company, joining Walt Frazier and Jerry West as only the third player in NBA history to post at least 25 points and 12 assists in a Finals Game 7.
Indiana's hopes took a major hit early in the first quarter when Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles injury while driving to the basket. After battling through a calf strain in Game 5 and pushing himself through Game 6, Haliburton’s exit left the Pacers struggling to generate offense against Oklahoma City’s intense defensive pressure.
Adding to the historical weight of the win, Oklahoma City became the second-youngest team ever to win an NBA title. With an average age of just 24.15 years, the Thunder entered the 2024–25 season as the youngest team in the league. Their roster features only two players over the age of 30 — Alex Caruso (31) and Kenrich Williams (30) — with nine players under 25 and another seven under 28.
According to NBAAge.com, OKC not only has the second-lowest overall average age in the league but ranks sixth-youngest when adjusting for actual playing time.
The city of Oklahoma City will celebrate the championship with a victory parade on June 24 in the downtown area. Before the parade begins, the team will gather inside Paycom Center for a celebratory ceremony, including speeches from players and the official presentation of the Larry O'Brien Trophy — a long-awaited moment for a franchise that has rebuilt through youth, patience, and perseverance.